The
Start to Finish Series contains condensed product reviews of some of the items I've used up over the past month, and my thoughts on them after having used them long enough to give them a thorough review. We often review a product or read a review about a product, but don't often see a follow up. Speaking for myself, I know I've tried products that seem impressive at first, only to find that after prolonged use, they do have their flaws. The same can be said for not giving a product a chance--I've used many products that didn't seem to do anything for me after one or two uses, only to return to it later and have it turn out that perhaps it's not something that gives instant gratification, but after a fair amount of time, they become staples in my routine. First up,
Pureology Volume Shampoo & Conditioner:
Above: I have some styling products from this line that I like rather well, so I wanted to try their shampoo and conditioner. I have very fine hair, and not nearly as much of it as I'd like! It's also colored and highlighted most of the year, so I chose the Volume line. These run about $25.00 for each one, so I really wanted these to work so I could justify the price!
Pureology products are extremely condensed and you don't need to use much product, but honestly, I find that most shampoos and conditioners work just as well using less rather than more. Keep in mind, my hair isn't that long, just about 2" below my ear lobes, so that may not be true for everyone. The anti-fade complex is designed to keep your hair color true without fading, which is what I need because my hair tends to fade to a copper color, especially when I'm out in the sun, as I am quite a bit this time of year. Unfortunately, these products didn't work for me. After using them for a week, I noticed that my hair was extremely dry and less shiny than usual. I chalked it up to other products, a bad color job, too much heat styling--until I thought maybe it was the shampoo and conditioner. After switching to my usual
Redken products, my hair was back to normal within 2 days. I went back to the
Pureology again, this time for 3 weeks, and I made sure to use styling products that always soften my hair (
Redken Satin Wear and CHI Silk Infusion), and it didn't seem to stop the dryness. As far as keeping the color in tact, it did seem to do that, but no more than other products that I've used for this purpose. We're always looking for a miracle product, but for me, this this pair isn't it. I have to remember that just because something costs more, doesn't mean it will perform more.
Below: Redken Color Extend is what I was using last summer and what I'll return to. I use the same small amount of these products as I did of the
Pureology ones, and it keeps my hair soft and shiny while keeping the color with little to no fading. I picked this pair up at
JC Penney for $20.00, so my
wallet will be happier too!
Below: Biosilk Thermal Shield was yet another product I picked up in looking for the perfect heat
protectant. As far as protecting my hair, it did do a good job of this. I flat iron my fine hair daily, after blow drying, so it's subjected to a lot of heat. I was a little put off by the fruity scent of this product, but I continued to use it all up. I didn't notice any difference in the damage that my hair sustains by the time I went in for my next trim, so I'd have to say that while I'm sure it protected my hair somewhat, it didn't do any better job than what I'd previously been using. This spray-on product was extremely heavy on my hair, to the point that it was so wet after lightly spraying it on after blow drying, that it
caused my natural curls to come out after I'd already dried it. It also made my hair so stiff when it finally dried, that I had a hard time getting a comb through it before flat ironing it. This retails for about $12.00-$14.00 for a 12 oz. bottle, and you'd think I'd quit buying products and stick to what has worked in the past for me, wouldn't you?
Below: After my personal "fails" above, I'm happy to report a huge "pass"! This is a follow-up to a product I was sent to review at the end of March (see original review
here). This is my tube of
Reviva Labs Vitamin E Oil Stick, which lasted almost 2 months for me. It's recommended for use as a lip balm and an eye area moisturizer. I use it on my lips and on my cuticles, if I don't have cuticle cream handy. It's light, long-lasting, has little to no scent, is colorless, and retails for $4.00 a tube. I scraped it down to the point where I would've had to dig it out with a toothpick to get any more!
Below: My all time favorite lip balm, Palmer's Cocoa Butter stick, is no longer my favorite.
Below: I knew I would have to get more of this product, so I did. I love the way it feels on my lips, and I appreciate how long it lasts. When I'm not wearing it, my lips still feel soft and nourished. It's not designed for use on cuticles, but it does a good job on them too.
That's it for this month. It's always nice to use something up, but it's even nicer to find a product that really works for me. Let's hope that next month, whatever products I manage to finish up, I'll make wiser choices and they'll all be winners for me!
Just a quick reminder that I have 2 contests ending at midnight tonight! The Body & Soul Monthly contest for 1 complete set of OPI's Swiss Collection and the Reviva Labs Summer Sun Care Giveaway. Followers only, please. Click on the contest names for details.
The folks at Reviva Skin-Care Labs are going to help protect and prettify your skin during summer with a 5-product package of fantastic natural skin-care products.
Step 3 Below: I then continue the process by applying a small amount (one pump--you can see how little is needed in the palm of my hand) of Skin Energizing Gel ($10.00) into the nail bed. This product is rich in active and trace minerals, which Reviva believes are necessary for nail strength. As with all of these products, this too can be used as a facial product.
Step 4 Below: To complete the treatment, I apply the EFAs (Essential Fatty Acid) Cream ($25.00) as a moisturizer. Originally formulated for thin skin, users with all levels of dry skin are reporting that it is providing fuller and smoother skin. I've been using this on my face and will do a proper review of it soon as a facial moisturizer/treatment, but it's working very well for that also. This medium consistency lotion absorbs nicely and contains 10 natural oils, although it doesn't leave a greasy feeling.
This extra hand-pampering routine takes about 20-25 minutes and the results are immediate. My hands look smoother and the lines seem to have diminished noticeably. My hands and skin in general are what I would consider average when it comes to dryness. You know how you look at your hands and think they look a little dry? For about 3-4 days after I do this treatment, they don't ever look that way. There is a lot of information on their website about the ingredients they use, and I also have quite a bit of literature I've been reading and re-reading. I'm certainly no scientist or skin care expert, but I have been nothing short of impressed with their products. I've been reading a number of reviews from Diana at Painted Lady Fingers blog on Reviva products, and she seems to be getting excellent results as well. 
Above: I have some styling products from this line that I like rather well, so I wanted to try their shampoo and conditioner. I have very fine hair, and not nearly as much of it as I'd like! It's also colored and highlighted most of the year, so I chose the Volume line. These run about $25.00 for each one, so I really wanted these to work so I could justify the price! Pureology products are extremely condensed and you don't need to use much product, but honestly, I find that most shampoos and conditioners work just as well using less rather than more. Keep in mind, my hair isn't that long, just about 2" below my ear lobes, so that may not be true for everyone. The anti-fade complex is designed to keep your hair color true without fading, which is what I need because my hair tends to fade to a copper color, especially when I'm out in the sun, as I am quite a bit this time of year. Unfortunately, these products didn't work for me. After using them for a week, I noticed that my hair was extremely dry and less shiny than usual. I chalked it up to other products, a bad color job, too much heat styling--until I thought maybe it was the shampoo and conditioner. After switching to my usual Redken products, my hair was back to normal within 2 days. I went back to the Pureology again, this time for 3 weeks, and I made sure to use styling products that always soften my hair (Redken Satin Wear and CHI Silk Infusion), and it didn't seem to stop the dryness. As far as keeping the color in tact, it did seem to do that, but no more than other products that I've used for this purpose. We're always looking for a miracle product, but for me, this this pair isn't it. I have to remember that just because something costs more, doesn't mean it will perform more.
Below: After my personal "fails" above, I'm happy to report a huge "pass"! This is a follow-up to a product I was sent to review at the end of March (see original review here). This is my tube of Reviva Labs Vitamin E Oil Stick, which lasted almost 2 months for me. It's recommended for use as a lip balm and an eye area moisturizer. I use it on my lips and on my cuticles, if I don't have cuticle cream handy. It's light, long-lasting, has little to no scent, is colorless, and retails for $4.00 a tube. I scraped it down to the point where I would've had to dig it out with a toothpick to get any more!
Below: My all time favorite lip balm, Palmer's Cocoa Butter stick, is no longer my favorite.
Below: I knew I would have to get more of this product, so I did. I love the way it feels on my lips, and I appreciate how long it lasts. When I'm not wearing it, my lips still feel soft and nourished. It's not designed for use on cuticles, but it does a good job on them too.
That's it for this month. It's always nice to use something up, but it's even nicer to find a product that really works for me. Let's hope that next month, whatever products I manage to finish up, I'll make wiser choices and they'll all be winners for me!
I've been reviewing some products from Reviva Labs and today I'd like to share my thoughts with you on their Vitamin E Oil Stick. This product is billed as a lip and under eye protectant and contains natural ingredients such as Soybean Oil, Candelilla Wax, Beeswax, Castor Oil, Olive Oil, and Vitamin E. This comes in a lipstick style tube and retails for $4.00. It can be found on their website, as well as chain stores such as GNC, Ulta, and many natural health type of stores. I've been using mine for about 2 weeks now and have been impressed not only with the effect on my lips, but also on the under eye area and my cuticles. This product has an SPF 15 and because it has a beeswax base, it seems to last longer on all areas of my skin. I am constantly applying some type of lip product, and this lightweight balm is perfect for me. I use it on my lips as a base before applying color, and also over the color to add shine. My lips are left soft, and even when the product wears off, they still feel moisturized. I also dab some on my under eye area for added protection and moisture, and even apply it to my cuticles to diminish the dryness. This is a clear product with no color, and it has no scent or flavor to speak of. I don't know that it's made for use on the cuticles, but it's a very portable product for that. I carry it in my purse and massage a small amount around my nails for instant softness and moisturization. The packaging is simple, the product is a multi-tasker, and the results are evident.
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